Stop-cock box



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. T. J. RYAN.

STOP COCK BOX.

No. 520,542. Patented May 29, 1894.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2. T. J. RYAN. STOP4 COCK BOX.

No. 520,542. Patented May .29, 1894.

/wmifizym/ Wllgesses UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE.

THOMAS JOSEPH RYAN, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

STOP=COCK BOX.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 520,542, dated May 29,1894. Applica/(i011 filed December '7. 1893. Serial No 493.072. (Nomodel.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS JOSEPH RYAN,l

a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county ofErie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Stop- OockBox, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to stop-cock boxes;

and its has for its object to provide certain,

preventing access thereto except by authorized persons, and also toprovide a cheap and efcient expansive screw joint between the' separatesections of the box, to provide for the proper adjustment thereof todifferent depths, while at the same time yielding to frost-lift.

With these and other objects in view which will readily appear as thenature of the invention is better understood, the saine consists in thenovel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinaftermore fully described, illustrated and claimed.

In the drawingszfFigurel is a central vertical longitudinal sectionalview, partly in elevation, of a stop-cock box embodying myirnprovements. Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modification including anextension pipe section. Fig. 3 is an enlarged det-ail elevation of thecover and cap attachments for the upper end of the lower box section.Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional View of the construction shown in Fig.3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view on the line m-:r ofFig. 1,with the locking screw removed. Fig. 6 is a detail elevation of amodified construction of turning rod or key. Fig 7`is a detail view ofthe locking screw with its split `end unclinched. Fig. 8 is a detailsectional view of ya second method of supporting thebrass nut inposition.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

, ings, they will not pass therethrough the same are out of alignment asstated, but- A represents the lower box section on which is adapted tobe adjustably fitted the upper box section B, both of said sectionsbeing tubularor cylindrical sections of pipe constructed in suitablesizes so as to adapt the box for use `in connection with various sizesof pipes and cocks. The lower box or pipe section A, is provided at itslower end with the usual bell-shaped base O, which is adapted tostraddle an ordinary pipe c, and to inclose inside thereof the stop-cockc', arranged in such pipe, and thereby provide the usual means forconveniently manipulating the cock from the surface of the ground, itbeing well understood that the upper box or pipe section B, is adjustedon the lower section so that its upper end will be brought to about alevel with the ground.

Y The lowerbox section A, is further provided near the upper end thereofwith a section of screw threads or ribs D, which are sharply inclined soas to provide for the quick adjustment of the box sections, while at thesame time providing for a sufficient expansion'of the upper box sectionto accommodate the frost-lift. The said section of screw threads orribsD, which are cast exteriorly on theupper portion of the lower boxsection A, are provided at intervals with the dirt escape openings d,which provide free escape for rust, dirt, and sand, in screwing thesections together, so that they may be-easily adjusted and preventedfrom being choked by such matter. The dirt escape openings d,in each ofthe thread ribs D, are arranged out of alignment with each other inorder to more readily insure the escape of all the dirt, &c., while atthe same time not substantiallyinterrupting the continuity of the screwso as to interfere with the turning of the screw lugs or projections E,thereon, and the lower sides of the said dirt escape openings d, arebeveled or inclined at their upper edges as at d', so that when thescrew lugs E, reach the dirt openbecause will freely ride over the sameand continue to turn on the screw threads or ribs when the box sectionsare being adjusted together, inasmuch as the top bevels d afford nosharp corn ers or impediments to the said screw luffs. The screw lugs orprojections E, are of a cochical or pointed shape and are arranged indiarows, on the inmetrically opposite vertical IOO ner sides of theupper box section B, so as to complete the necessary screw connectionbetween the two sections, and said upper section B, is further providedat its extremelower end with an additional set of these screwprojections or lugs, 'so as to hold said upper section steady on thelower section and prevent it from unduly wabbling. It will be seen thatby reason of the pointed shape of the projections or lugs E, the contactbetween the two box sections is reduced to a minimum, so as toeffectually prevent the box sections from rusting together so as to beuseless, while atl the same time these pointed projections or lugs outthe rust and dirt from the lower box section, when the parts are beingscrewed together, and force the same through the dirt openings d, and so'subserve the function of completing an expansion s crew joint whichaccommodates frost-lift. v

Ordinarily, only two of the box sections, such as described, areemployed to complete the construction of the stop-cock box, but wherepipes are laid exceptionally deep in the ground, I may then employ asupplemental extension pipe section F, between the sections A, and B,and this extension pipe section F, is provided on the exterior upperportion thereof with a section of exterior screw threads or ribs D,similar to those on the lower box section A, and in the lower end isprovided at diametrically opposite sides with vertical rows of pointedor conical screw projections or lugs E similar to those on the upper boxor pipe section B. In this modification the exterior threads of theextension section engage the interior projections or lugs of the uppersection, and the projections or lugs thereof engage the exterior threadsof the lower box section.

'In either construction o f stop cock box, after the parts have beenscrewed together it is necessary to employ some means for preventing thesaine from being further turned so that the boxes cannot be disarrangedby.

unauthorized persons, and in the modification shown in Fig. 2 it isnecessary to prevent the section F, from turning, when the upper sectionB, is being adj usted thereon. To accomplish this result I employ aremovable U -shaped locking key or staple G, which is lowered within thestop-cock box after the adjustment of the sections, and is placed overthe upper edge of the lower box section A, and, in the modification inFig. 2, also over the upper edge of the section F. The outer l prong ofthe U-shaped locking key orstaple G, is adapted to be disposed in theblank spaces of both sections, and on the lower section it is disposedin one of the dirt openings d, so as to lieacross the space between theuppermost threads, and therebyform a stop which prevents the pointedscrew projections or lugs on the upper box section from passing beyondsuch locking key or staple, and in this function is especially useful inholdi ing the middle or extension section F, from turning when the uppersection B, is being screwed in position.

Removably mounted over the upper open end of the lower box section A,isthe conical pipe cover H. The conical pipe cover H, is provided with alower flanged or shouldered edge 72, which registers in the upper openend of the lower box section so that the cover H, will be held steady inposition on the lower section, and said cover is further provided nearone edge with the key opening h', which is designed to accommodate theinner prong of the U-shaped locking key or staple G, so as to notinterfere with the positioning thereof and which also additionallyserves to steady the cover H, in its position on the box or pipesection. The pipe cover H, effectually prevents sand and dirt fromfalling into the lower pipe section when setting the box in position andalso when in actual use, and said cover is provided in its apex with therod opening 71?, which also provides for the escape of gases, and at apoint below such opening with a projecting stop-stud I, which serves tolimit the movement of the turning rod cap J. The turning rod vcap J, isalso of a conical shape corresponding with that of the cover I-I, and isarranged over the apex of said cover. The said rod cap is provided atone edge with the limiting slotj,which works over the stud I, and servesto limit the movenient of the cap,and thelatter is further provided atits apex with the squared orpolygonal rod neck K, which is adapted toreceive the'upper squared end k, of the turning rod or key L, held insuch neck by the rivet pin Z. The lower end of said turning rod or keyL, is connected to the cock c', so that by placing a wrench or key inthe upper end of the stop-cock box and fitting the same on the neck K,the rod L, may be turned so as to turn on or off the water or gas, themovement of the rod L, being of course limited by the slot j, and thestud I.

The extreme upper end of the upper pipe section B, is adapted to becovered and uncovered by the flanged box cover M, which is of theordinary flanged construction embracing the extreme upper edge of theupper box section, and said upper end of the upper box section isprovided withtheinterior rest shoulder N, and the inwardly projectinglock lugs O, disposed directly above the interior rest shoulder N. Theinterior rest shoulder N, of the upper box section is adapted to supportin position the removable dirt and lock plate P. The said dirt and lockplate P, is provided 'with a squared neck Q, which provides means forinserting the turning key within the stopcock box to turn the stop-cock,and also is adapted to itself receive a key or wrench so that the plateP, can be readily turned, and said neck Q, terminates short of the coverM, so as to leave a gas space through which the gas may find a passage,and finally escape through the escape opening R, `formed-in the boxcover M. The plate P, is further provided in its edges with the guidenotches S, which are adapted to be brought in alignment with the lugs O,in placing the plate in position and removal, and it will be readilyunderstood that when the plate P, is placed on the shoulder N, aslightturn thereof either way throws the notches S, out of alignment with thelugs O, and locks the plate in position, while at the same time suchnotches S, are covered at their lower sides bythe shoulder N, thuspreventing sand and dirt from working its way down the inner sides ofthe upper box section. The said combined dirt and lock plate P, isprovided at one side of the neck Q, thereof with abrass nut T, which nutis itself provided with double beveled edges U, so that the same can berigidly cast into the body of the plate P, in casting, and willtherefore form substantially a part of such plate. The brass nut T, isadapted to receive thelocking screw V, the head of which is arranged towork in the sunken opening fu, in the cover` cap M, and the lower end ofwhichA is split as at W, so that after being placed in position, suchsplit end may be clinched out and thereby prevent the cover M, frombeing lost and removed. By unscrewingthe screw V,sufticiently, the covermay be turned around from over the upper endof the stop-cock box so thataccess may be gained to the interior of the box or for the purpose ofremoving the plate P, if so desired.

The particular construction of the lockingscrew V, is an essentialfeature of the present invention, and by reference to the several guresof the drawings, and particularly detail Fig. 7, it will be seen thatthe shank of the screw V, is of a triangular, square or other polygonalshape, in cross -section, having blank unthreaded faces v', and providedat the angles or corners thereof with a line of threads U2. Thepolygonal shank of the Y screw is slightly tapered toward the split endW, thereof, and is intended to tap its own thread in the hole of thebrass nut T. This operation is rendered practicable by reason of thefact that the nut T, is of brass or other soft non-corrosive metal,which willbe easily cut by the threaded corners or angles of the lockingscrew as the same is inserted therethrough, and this construction isimportant because the expense of tapping the brass nut is avoided.

When very smallstop-cock boxes are used, for instance a one and one-halfinch diameter box, which is the smallest size in use, it is notpracticable to use the dirt or lock plate P, and in such cases thisplate is dispensed with, and the brass nut T, is cast into a section ofthe interior shoulder or ange N, as clearly illustrated in detail Fig.8, of the drawings,

and in this modification, the shoulder or flange N, projectssufficiently in toward the center of the pipe to accommodate the brassnut, and does not extend entirely around the inner periphery of thepipe. At this point it may be well to direct further attention to theopposite rows of screw lugs or projections E, which dispense with theinterior thread of the pipe. It will of course be understood that indifferent sizes of pipe or box sections, two

or more of these opposite rows of conical understood that while the sameare preferably cast into the upper box section B, the same may bescrewed, bolted, riveted or othwise secured within the pipe, and in anyevent the use of these lugs provides an enlarged space between the twopipe sections so that it is impossible for the same to rust togetherfrom long standing or long service in the ground, as is generally the'case when interior threads are employed. Furthermore the screw lugs orprojections are important for the reason that the same scrape and cut oithe rust from the lower pipe section and do not form any impediment todirt and rust in escaping to the bottom and outside of the stop-cockbox,'and besides these important functions the lugs or projectionsgreatly simplify and render more practicablethe manufacture of stop-cockboxes, because the most difficult and expensive part of the box hasalways been in forming the interior thread of the upper section.

Theconstruction herein described not only provides a very practicableand useful construction of stop-cock box, but at the same time greatlysimplifies the construction of such boxes and renders the manufacturethereof comparatively easy, and at this point it may be well to observethat such modifications as shown in Fig. 6, of the drawings, may beemployed, in which gure the rod or key L, is illustrated as being madeup of two extensible sections joined at their adjacent ends by thesliding coupling sleeves X, which permit of the propel' adjustment andexpansion of the turning rod or key, especially when used in connectionwith the construction shown in Fig. 2.

Changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of constructionmay bc resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificingany of the advantages of this invention.

Having thusdescribed the invention, what is claimed, and desired to besecured by Letters Patent, is`

l. The combination of two upright pipe sections, one of which isprovided with a set of exterior threads interrupted at intervals withdirt escape openings, and the other of which ICC is provided withdiametrically opposite vertical rows of pointed or conical screw lugs orprojections engaging said exterior threads and adapted to ride over saiddirt escape openings, said dirt escape openings being arranged out ofalignment so as not to substantially interrupt the continuity of thethreads, and to prevent the lugsor projections from passingtherethrough, substantially as set forth. 2. In a box or receiver Of theclass described, the combination of the upper and lower pipe sectionsadjustably connected together, the lower of said pipe sections having asection of screw threads or ribs provided at intervals with dirt escapeopenings and upper beveled edges at the lower sides of said openings,the lat-ter being arranged out of alignment with each other so as not tosubstantially interrupt the continuity Of the screw threads or ribs, andthe upper of said pipe sections being provided on its inner side withdiametrically opposite vertical rows of pointed screw lugs orprojections, and at its extreme lower end with an additional set of suchlugs or projections, substantially as set forth.

3. In abox or receiver of the class described,

the combination of the separate pipe sections adjustably connectedtogether, the lower of said sections having aset of exterior threadsprovided at intervals with openings, and the other of which sections isprovided with diametrically opposite vertical rows of pointed screw lugsengaging said exterior threads, and a removable U- shaped locking key orstaple adapted to embrace the upper edge of said lower section andhaving the Outer .prong thereof disposed in one of the openings of theuppermost thread and in the path of the screw lugs on the upper section,substantially as set forth.

4. In a stop-cock box, the combination with the upper and lower boxsections adj ustably fitted together; of a pipe cover removably tted onthe upper end Of the lower pipe section, the turning rod or key adaptedto be connected to a stop cock and projecting above said pipe cover, anda turning cap arranged over the pipe cover and fitted to the upper endOf said turning rod or key, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the upper and lower pipe sections of a stop cockbox, adjustably fitted together, and a removable locking key or staplearranged between the threads of the pipe sections; of aiianged conicalpipe cover removably supported on the upper end of the lower pipesection and having a key opening near one edge adapted to receive oneside of said locking key or staple, a rod opening at its apex, and aprojecting stop-stud below said rod opening, the turning rod or keyadapted to be connected to a stop cock and projecting above said pipecover, a conical turning rod cap working above the apex Of the pipecover and having a polygonal rod neck fitted on the upper end of saidturning rod or key and a limiting slot working over said stop stud,substantially as set forth.

6. In a stop-cock box, the combination with the upper and lower boxsections having interior screw lugs and exterior thread ribs,respectively, an intermediate adjustable extension section havingexterior threads engaging the lugs of the upper section and interiorscrew lugs engaging the threads of the lower section, an extensibleturning rod or key adapted to be arranged within the box and connectedto a stop cock and a locking device to secure the adjustable sectionsfrom turning after their adjustment, substantially as set forth.

7. In astop cock box, the pipe section having an interior shoulder atits upper end, a combined dirt and lock plate adapted to be removablylocked on said interior shoulder and havinga brass nut, the flanged boxcover, and a locking screw adapted to pass through a perforation in thecover and engage said brass nut, said screw having a lower split endadapted to be clinched out to prevent entire removal, substantially asset forth.

8. In a stop-cock box, the pipe section having an interior shoulder `atits upper end and inwardly projecting lock lugs immediately above saidshoulder, a plate having a squared key neck, and guide notches in itsedges adapted to be turned in and out of alignment with said lock lugs,abrass nut having double beveled edges adapted to be cast into the bodyof said plate, the flanged box cover iitting over the upper end of saidpipe section out Of contact with the neck of said plate and having a gasescape opening, and a locking screw adapted to pass through aperforation in said cover and engage the threads of said brass nut, saidscrew having a lower split end adapted to be clinched out, substantiallyas set forth.

9. In a stop-cock box, the combination with the pipe or box section; ofa nut arranged within the pipe or box section below its upper end, theanged box cover, and a squared or polygonal combined pivot and lockingscrew adapted tO pass through a perforation in the cover and engage saidnut, said locking screw being slightly tapered toward its lower end andprovided with blank Unthreaded faces, and a line Of threads at theangles or corners thereof to adapt the same for tapping its own hole insaid nut, substantially as set forth;

10. The combination with a pipe or receiver section; of a brass nut heldin position within the pipe or receiver section below its upper end, thehanged box cover, and a squared Or polygonal locking screw adapted topass through a perforation in the cover and to tap its Own hole in saidnut, said locking screw having a slightly tapered split lower end, blankunthreaded faces, and threads at the angles or corners thereof,substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS J OSEPI-I RYAN.

Witnesses: GEORGE LOWE, THoMAsCHRIsTOPHER COSTELLO.

